THOMASVILLE, Ga.- The Ave Maria University softball team split their third conference doubleheader of the 2021 season on Thursday evening, taking one of two from the Thomas University Night Hawks at Armory Field in Thomasville. The Gyrenes rode another stellar outing from Sarah Shepard and some timely defense to a 3-2 win in the opener, but could not complete the sweep in the nightcap, falling 5-4 in eight innings.

The first three runs of the opening game were plated by the Gyrenes, beginning with one run in the top of the second. Freshman Ashley Nelson led off with a double to left field, and Miriam Padgett followed by putting down a bunt that was misplayed by the Night Hawks. Nelson raced around to score from second, giving AMU the early lead.

Ave Maria added two more runs in the third, opening up a 3-0 lead. Kalie Romig, Paxton Hoop, and Angela Cataldo hit three consecutive singles to lead off the frame, and Marisa Michi drew a bases loaded walk for her 26th RBI of the season. After a fielder's choice and a strikeout accounted for the first two outs, Abagail Love was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, forcing in Cataldo for AMU's third run.

Thomas looked to rally in the closing innings of the contest, scoring one run each in the third and sixth innings. The Night Hawks scored in the third when Averie Sheppard walked with one out, stole second, then scored on an RBI single from Lakin Minish. In the sixth inning, Corryne Diaz drove in Addyson Mauldin with a two-out single, but was thrown out at second base to end the frame.

In the bottom of the seventh, Rebecca Dorsett singled with one out, putting the tying run on and bringing the go-ahead run to the plate. Pinch hitter Adreanna Killingsworth was then forced into a 6-4-3 double play, as the Gyrenes went from Cataldo to Love to Morgan Grimm to put the finishing touches on their third conference win of the season.

Sarah Shepard tossed a complete game for the ninth time this season, earning her team-best seventh win in the process. The senior scattered five hits from the Night Hawks, and struck out three hitters. At the plate, six Gyrenes had one hit a piece, with the lone extra base hits from a pair of freshmen - Nelson and Michi - who both had doubles.

After dropping the opener, Thomas raced out to a 4-0 lead in the first two innings of the nightcap. Thomas' three-run first inning included an RBI single from Holly Campbell, a run-scoring groundout from Mauldin, and a double from Diaz. Another double plated a run in the bottom of the second, as Taylee Bragger drove in Dorsett. 

AMU started to rally in the top of the third, getting a run back to cut the TU lead to 4-1. Romig started the inning by reaching on an error, which also allowed the leadoff hitter to move up to second. Hoop followed Romig, and the junior clubbed a double into centerfield to get the Gyrenes on the board. 

Three more runs crossed the plate in the top of the fourth, getting the game back to even. Ryanne Saluter started the action with a one-out walk, then Mariah Melendez reached on an error. Romig drove in Saluter with an RBI single, then Melendez scored on a Thomas throwing error. A perfectly placed bunt from Hoop scored Romig from third, tying the score.

The score remained 4-4 for the remainder of regulation, sending the game to extra innings. Ave Maria could not score in their half of the eighth inning, and the leadoff hitter for the Night Hawks in the eighth, Campbell, ended the contest with an RBI double into the right center field gap.

Alissa Bolinger was tremendous for the Gyrenes, despite taking the loss. The freshman did not allow an earned run in 5.2 innings of work, and allowed just four hits. AMU's offensive efforts were led by Romig and Cataldo, who each had two hits.

Ave Maria's next games come on Saturday, when the Gyrenes head to Hardeeville, South Carolina for a doubleheader against the Sand Sharks of the University of South Carolina Beaufort. First pitch is scheduled for noon in the Palmetto State.